WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force said on Tuesday it is acquiring two Boeing 747-8 aircraft for $400 million to establish a training and sustainment program for its future presidential airlift fleet.

The purchase is part of the service's efforts to accelerate the presidential airlift program as it prepares to transition to the larger 747-8 platform, the Air Force said in a statement.

The first aircraft is expected to arrive in early 2026, with the second delivery scheduled before year-end.

(Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Nia Williams)

((mike.stone@thomsonreuters.com;))